Photographic-exposure meter



Jan 8, 1929 G. E. OSBORNE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE METER Original Filed July 14, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet W 7 1 z w 1 0 E m M W w a 5 m 4 f (5 a z .2 o 1 5 a 6 (y q t 5 [w m 1 5 W. w m 6 2 m fl 7 w fi V flu 6 A w I I fl M, l !5 it; 1 w IL 0 WM| 7% 6 6 Jh WW 7 d- 7 a. y a w/ w z m i... 60 x 6 p w w ,5 5 a w h 9 4 a: m e E m S 2 G. E. OSORNE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE METER Original Filed July 14, 192

Jan. E29.

W, .2 44mm. MM

sex a; osnomm, or crmuncnx, onto.

. rnoroeaarmc-Exrosunn nterns.

Application filed July M, 1926, Serial No. 122,868. Borrowed November 22,1928.

This invention relates to'improvements in photographic exposure meters and has as its general object to provide a meter of this class which will be capable of ready employment to accurately indicate the length of exposure period in accordance with the class or speed of film or plate employed, the size of stop,

and likewise in accordance with the intensityof the light reflected from the object to be photo raphed. Heretofore,exposure meters.

have heen desi ned withthe objectin View of calculating the exposure period "in accord ance with the intensity of the prevailing light in general but such photographic exposure meters have been found unsatisfactory and inaccurate as the period exposure does not always depend upon the intensity of the light which illuminates-the subject, as the sole tor. In fact, it is Well known that photographers will endeavor to photograph and 7 bring out the shadows and, as the common expression amon photographers goes, let the high lights ta e care of themselves. With this in view, the present invention has as one of its important objects to provide an exposuremeter in the use of which determinations will he arrived at in accordance with the light reflected from a portion of the object or scene to be photographed. Therefore,

the invention contemplates the provision of an exposure-meter iii-which all of the readings, determining the conditions of exposure are in accordance with the intensity-of the rays of light reflected from a portion of an object" or scene to be photographed and which portion is selected at the discretion of the photographer. In this respect, the inven tion contemplates overcoming the disadvan tages which likewise attend the use of ex'- posure meters which depend on the stren h of the light falling directly upon the obyect to be photogra-phe l in which'the spee The ordinary exposure meter makes-no provision for determinations of exposureconditions where a wide range;ofplates or films of ditferen'tclasses or speeds'ma be emloyed and, therefore, the invention as, as a whether it be a plate or'film, is one of the" determining factors 'in-the use of the meter so that more accurate results may be conveniently obtained.

The meter embodying the invention 15 1ntended to be focused at a portion of the object or scene to be photographed and means is provided for focusing and controlling a monochromatic image of one part of the portion of the object in focus on transparent screen elements of constant and varying densltiesand adjustable to be selectively overlapped and to focus diffused light rays of a corresponding color onto other selectively overlapped screen elements reflected from the other focused partof the object, an adjusts ment of certain members which car the said transparent screen elements permitting of the photogra her matching the shades and, by means to e determining automatically the period of exposure of t e class of film or plate and in accordancewith the stop deci In the accompan ing drawings:

Figure 1 is a orizontal isectional viewthrough the exposuremeter embodyingthe invention. I

Figure 2 is a'vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figlkre 3 is a similar view taken substan tlally'on the line 3+3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a group view illustrating the general construction and arrangement of the:

presently explained, immediately (Iirployed transparent screen-carrying members and the dials associated therewith for indicating the class or, speed of plate or film and the stop,

Figure 5 is a'similar view illustrating other transparent film-carryingmembers and their relative arrangement.

Figure 6- is a vertical transverse sectional. view taken substantially on the line 6-45 of Figure 1, looking'in the direction'indicated' g the light my 1e meter comprises a 'casing which is in? d-icated in general by the numeral 1 and-which may be of any suitable exterior cpntounto 813- 'commod'ate the component parts-ofthe meter which are mounted therein; Howeyen -g the casing is provided'at its front withsaharrii} extension 2 onto which is rotatably fitted a .imei adaplstingt eme'mbers illustrated iii-Figure lens barrel 3 having threaded-"engagement I at its rear end, as at at, with athreaded'fpor tion 5 of the casing at the inner endo ins a barrel extension 2, whereby to permit one,

cusing of a short focus objective lens indicated by the numeral 6. The casing is provided intermediate its front and rear ends with two approximately cylindrical portions 7 which are arranged side by side and communicate at their relatively adjacent sides casing immediately at the front ofthe cylinreference to F i .is formed centra drical portions 7 of the casing, and another partition wall 11 is likewise provided within the casing in rear of the wall 10. The

rear wall of the portions 7 of the casing is formed to provide a cylindrical drum like extension 12,. the circumscribing wall of which is indicated by the numeral 13, and the front wall of which is indicated by the numeral 14, this latter will being in the focal plane of the lens 9. As will be observed by 1 and 3, the wall 14 with a rectangular opening which is indicated by the numeral .15 and with openings 16 and 17 located at one side of the opening 15 and of rectangular form, the wall being likewise provided with other openings 18 and 19 at the other side of the opening 15 and of rectangular form. All of these openingsare arranged in a horizontal line and are all exposed on a much enlarged scaleito the vision of the user of the meter when viewed through the lens 9 and eye piece 8. The overlappingtransparent screen elements and certain indicia-are visible through these openings under conditions to be presently described.

The wall 10, opposite the inner end of the barrel extension 2 of the casing is provided with an opening 20, The outer side of the ortion of the casing in front of the cylingrical portions 7 is of substantially semic lindrical contour, as shown in Fig. 2, and slbts 21 are provided at the ends of the said semi-cylindrical portions so as to accommodate annular knurled finger flanges 22 and 23 which are respectively carried by and constitute an integral part of discs 24 and 25, which discs are most clearly shown in Figure 50f the drawings. These finger flanges rovide for selective rotative adjustment of ti? 24 and 25 and substantially the entire area of the disc 25 occupies a common plane, whereas the peripheral portion of the disc 24 which is indicated by the numeral 26, is offset in a forward direction, as shown in Figure 1, so

that its said peripheral rtion will overlap the peripheral portion 0 the companion disc 25. Rectangular openings 27 and 28 are formed in an annular series respectively in the discs 24 and 25 and these openings in the two discs are located in the peripheral portions thereof so that where the discs overlap e discs at their said portions, selected ones of the openings may be brought into registration, two of the openings being shown in registration in Figure 1, within the bounds of the opening 20. The numeral 29 indicates transparent screen elements which are ofrectangular form and one of which is arranged in' a corresponding half of each of the openings 27 in the disc 24, so that there is an annular series of these screen elements and, as will be observed by reference to Figure 5, these screen elements are of gradually increasing density from one end of the series to the other. In the case of the disc 24, the screen elements may, for example, occupy the half of their respective openings 27 nearer the axis of the disc. Screen elements 30 are similarly arranged in the openings 28 in the disc 25 and are likewise of gradually increasing density from one end of the series to the other except that in the instance of this disc, the screen elements 30 are located in the outer halves of the respective ones of the'openings 28 so that when the discs are relatively rotatably ad- 'usted, any two selected screens 29 and 30 may e brought into overlapped relation, as clearly shown in Figure 1 and also Figure 5. As before stated, the rotation of the discs is effected through the medium of the knurled flanges 22 and 23 and it will be observed by reference to Figure 1, that the oyerlapping of the screen elements is brought about at one side of the focal axis of the lenses 6 and 9. It will likewise be observed that the halves of the registering openings which are occupied by screen elements are located at the opposite side of the focal axis of the said lenses. The reason for this arangement will now be made clear.

Arranged within the barrel extension 2 is a monochromatic light ray diffusing screen 31 which may be of any matefi al which will permit a maximum amount of dilfused. light to enter the casing in rear of the screen. This light ray diffusing medium is of a primary color such for example as blue, and is trans,-'

lucent throughout and of uniform density throughout its entire area except for a small rectangular portion of its area indicated at 32, which is substantially trans arent or clear. In other words, except for this portion, 7

one surface is etched or otherwise treated so as to possess sufficient density to diffuse the light rays passing therethrough, the light rays from the lens 6 being permitted to pass more readily throughthe less dense area portion 32 as this portion is, as stated, clear. A semi-pyramidal light .ray conducting tube or conduit 33 of rectangular form in cross section is arranged within the casing and has its forward or larger end positioned in precise registration with the clear area position 32 of the diffusing screen 31 and the rear end of this tube is presented directly opposite the overlapping screen elements 29 and 30, as

nae-acne shown in said Figure 1. Preferably, the interior of the tube 33 is surfaced a dead black to eliminate, as far as possible, reflection of the light rays passing therethrough, whereas the exterior surface of the tube is finished a brilliant white so as to provide the maximum reflection of light rays entering that portion of the casing from the lens 6 and-through the screen 31, in which position the said tube is located.

The discs 24 and 25 are respectively fixed upon shafts 34 and 35 which are journaled at their forward ends in the artition wall 10 and at their rear ends in e front wall 14. of the extension 12 of therear casin wall,

' the discs 24 and 25 bein located immediately rearwardly of and, in fact, rotating in contact with and between the partition walls 10 and 11 at their relatively remote peripheral portions.

' The partition wall 11 is provided with a rearward cylindrical drum-like extension'36 and rotatably mounted on the circumferential Wall of this extension is a ,j inurled adjusting ring 37, the upper and lower'peri heral portions of which are exposed exterlorly at the top and bottom of the casing. The rear wall of the extension 36, which is indicated by the numeral 38, is provided with a rectangular opening 39 equal in area to the area of any of the openings in the discs 24 and 25 and positioned in front to rear alinement directly opposite the last mentioned openings when 1n registration, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The said wall 38 is likewise formed with openings 40 and 41 which are arranged at one side of the openin 39 and are of the same dimensions as an located in front to rear alinenient with the openings 16 and 17 in'the wall 14. Similarly, openings 42 and 43 are formed in the wall 38 at the other side of the-opening 39 and respectively opposite the openings 18 and 19.

In order that light rays may pass the discs 24 and 25 when the openings 27 and 28 in said discs are in registration at their overlapping peripheral portions and illuminate certain light ray transmitting mediums which bear indicia, as will presently be explained, the disc 24 is formed with an annular series of rectangular openings 44 concentric to the shaft-34 and with a second series of openings 45 concentric to the series 44 and located between the same and the openings 27, and these openings 44 and 45 are respectively located opposite or in horizontal alinement with the openings 41 and 40 in the wall 38 when the disc 24 is in position with the respective one of its openings 27 in registration with one of the openings 28 in the disc 25.- In a similar manner, the disc 25 is formed with an annular series of openings 46 concentric to the shaft 35 and a series of openings 47 concentric to the openings 46 and located between the same and the series of openings 28 and in horizontal alineme'nt with the o and 42 respectively in'the wall 38 intheadjusted position of the said-discs 24 and 25.

Discs 48 and 49 are rotatably mounted upon the shafts 34 and 35 respectively and these lapped, as clearly shown drawings.

51,the openings of eac disc ing arranged in an annular series and the openings being of the same dimensions as the openings 27 and 28 in the discs 24 and25. Tran arent screen elements 52 and 53 we active mounted in the outer and inner halves of tlie openings 50 and 51 respectively t e case of the screen elements 29 y so that, as in and 30st the discs 24 and 25, these screen elements 52 and 53 are arranged to be brought selectively ,into

overlapping and registerin other in the adjustment 0% discs 48 and 49 are provided respectiveiy-,,at their centers and upon 0 pinions- 54 and 55, and e knurled ri 537 eretofore referred to is provided wit an relation to each the discs The' posite faces, withon! internal gear 56 which meshes with the-pinion g 1 54 so that when this ring is manually rotated,

rotary motion will be imparted to the disc 48. A knurled ring 57 is rotatably mounted u I the forward extension 13 of the rear casing Wall and is provided with an internal gear 58 which meshes with the pinion so that in the rotation of this ring, the disc 49 is rotatably adjusted. Likewise, as in the case of'the discs 24 and 25, the discs 48 and 49 are so formed that their marginal portions-Willas clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4.

overlap, of the drawings. 1 The numeral 59 indicates a short extension of the light ra conducting conduit 33 extending between t e periphery lpart of rays which have passed throu h have passed g t ray be observed that where'screen elements '52 and i '53 of the discs 48 and 49 overlap'and register opposite the opening 39 inthe wall 38, they are positioned at one side of the conduit 33 and its extension 59 so that these screen ele ments are tinted by the-diffused colored light rays passing through the translucent area of the diffusin-g medium 31, and it will now be evident the by observing the part of the image focused and outlined on the rover lapping screen elements 50 and 51 and simultaneously observing the shade of color im parted to the overlappin screen elements 52 and 53 which are at sue time in the focal 105 of the disc 25 and the wall 38 and supported .by the latter so that the user of the meter may have an unobstructed view of the part i concentric to the series of openings 51 and plane of the lens 9 with the screen elements and 51, a comparison of the two surfaces may be made and the discs 48 and 49 rotatably adjusted through the medium of the knurled rings 37 or 57 or both in combinationuntil the general shade of light of the screen elements 52 and 53 matches that of the image focused upon the screen elements 50 and 51. The 'disc 48 is formed with an annular series of small rectangular openings which are concentric to the series of openings 50 in the disc and are positioned the same distance from the shaft 34 as are the openings 45 of the disc 24, and the disc 49 is formed with a similar series of openings 61 located the same distance from the shaft 35 as are the o enings 47 of the disc25. Small transparencies 62 and 63 are positioned within'the openings 60 and .61 respectively and I the transparencies 62 bear ordinals, as'indicated by the numeral 64, indicating whole .1 seconds. The transparencies 63 in the-openings, 61 bear ordinals and fractions, as indicated at 65, denoting fractions of seconds.

Circular recesses 66 and 67 are formed frcspect'ively in the rearand. front faces'of' the discs 48 and 49 and small circular discs "3a 68 and 69 are fixed upon the shafts 34 and spective recesses 66 and 67. A series of open-- ings 70 are formed in the disc 48 concentric- 35 respectively and are rotatable in the reto the openings 60 and between the same and the per phery of the pinion 54, anda similar series of openings 71 1s formedin the disc 49,

the-openings of the two series being rectangw.

I la: andof substantially the same dimensions 25 respective y. 9

as the openin s 44 and .46 of the discs 24 and The discs 68 and 69 are formed substantially at their peripheries with openings 72 and 73 respectively, which openings are arranged in an annular series in each instance, transparencies 74 being positioned within the openings 72 and bearing letters of the alpha et or other indicia 75 indicating the classes or speeds of plates or films in general use.v In a similar manner, transparencies 76 are arranged Within the openings 73 and bear ordinals indicating the --camera stops.

The manner of using the exposure meter is as follows: Assuming that it is desired to "ascertain the time period of exposure of a class C late, the camera stop 16 having been decided on, the meter is focused at the object or image which it is desired to photograph, the barrel 3 being adjusted as'required to obtain the desired focus, and the knurled ring 22 is then adjusted so as to rotate the disc 24 until the plate" indicatin letter C up are in the openin 17 in t e wall 14.

Wise, in a similar manner, the knurled ring 23 is adjusted so as to rotate disc. 25 until the stop indicating ordinal'16 appears in the opening 19 in the wall 14.

fined upon the overlapping clear area of screen elements 50 and 51, which have been brought into position opposite the rear end extension of the light'ray conducting conduit 33, and the rotation of the knurled ring 57 is continued until one of the screen elements 53 has been brought into the line of vision and which element is of an intensity equivalent to that of the image focused on the screen elements 50 and 51. When this has been accomplished, it will be observed that the transparency '65 which bears the fraction f is presented to the vision at the o ening 18, indicating an exposure of one-ha f second. It will be recalled that the disc 48 has, in the transparency 64 bearing the 0 mark will appear at the opening 16. If it should be ,foundthat, in the admstmentqof the. disc 49 meantime, remained stationar so that the through the rotation of the knurled ring 57,

none of the light screens 53 are ofsuflicient' density to match the shade of the image outlined on the overla ping clear screen portions 50 and 51, thedisc is ad usted to position with the 0 mark ofthe. trans ,arency 63 appearing in the opening 18, an the disc 48 is adjusted through the medium of the knurled ring 37 until a screen'element 52 of the proper density to match the ima 'e has been brought to position in front of the opening 15. At this point it may be stated that the screen elements 52 of the disc 48 are more sharply.

graduated as to their increasing" density ments- 53. As the series of transparencies 62 of the disc 48 are graduated to represent whole seconds, it may be found that no exact selection can be made because one of the screen elements 52 mi ht be too dark and another might be too ligTi such event, the disc 48 is left at adjustment with the lighter or less dense one of the screen elements in the line of vision and thedisc 49 Q is then rotated until one of the screen elements 53 of a density which, combined with the density of the screen element 52, ill g respect to the said screen element 52 which has t to match. the image, and in been left in position in the line of vision. In"- this instance, for example, it might be found that a screen element 52 of the disc 48 which I.

no throughout the series than are the screen elenieral Q is the proper one which when comblned in overlapping relation with that one of the screen elements 53' which is opposite the second transpa'rency63, will permit of exactmatching of the focused image portion and this would indicate an exposure of two and one h alf seconds.

It will be observed by reference to the discs 4:8 and 4 9 as shown in Figure l, that the range of tl'iemetfer in the illustrated embodiment is from 1/300'of a second to 21% seconlls, and it will'b'e understood that this is sufllcient to meet all ordinary requirements.

It will'be observed that at no time are there any screen elements of the discs 48 and 49 in position to obstruct the passage of the light rays through the clear portion 32 of the light ray diifusing medium 31, the conduit 33, and to the eye piece 9 by. way of the overlapping screen elements 29 and 30 through which the intensit of the part of the image isadjusted or regu ated in accord with the sensitive medium'and the camera stop employed. How-l ever, light rays' which pass through the other portion of the light my diffusing medium 31 I dium such as the screen 31 of a primary color such as blue, is to produce a monochromatic optical impression on the overlapping screen portions-50 and '51 so that the visual color values of the object are distinctly displayed I and the selection of the shade to match is readily accomplished.

While the exposure meter embodying the present inventionis designed primaril for use in determining exposure periods for films and plates, it is also useful in determining time periods of exposure where bromide enlargements are made by projection, when used in connection with a special reflecting.

surface. v r p Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- -v 1. In a photographic exposure meter, a lens system including objective and eye piece lenses, transparent screen elements of-varying density selectively adjustable to position in the; focal axisof the lens system to control an optical impression of the object focused by the objective lens, a colored light ray transmitting and diflusing medium between the objective lens" and the said screen elements to render the optical impression monochromatic, the said ray transmitting andfdiflfusing medium having a clear area and a ray di'fiusing area, means for conducting light rays passing through the clear area directly to the said screen elements, other transparent screen elements of varying densities selectively adjustable to position in thefocal axis of the lens system to receive direct and diffused light rays passing from the ray transmitting and diffusing areas of the said ray transmitting and diffusing medlurn, and indi'c'ator means automatically positioned in the focal plane of the eye piece lens, in the adjustment of the second mentioned transparent screen elements,- for indicating the time period of exposure.

. 2. In a photographic exposure meter, a lens system including objective and eye piece lenses, transparent screen elements of varying density selectively adjustable to position in the focal axis of the lens system to control rays transmitted from the objective lens, other transparent screen elements of, constant and varying densities likewise selectively adjust- 1 able to position in the focal axis of the lens system to receive rays transmitted fro'm'the. objective lens, meansfor impartin color to the first mentioned rays without di using the same whereby to obtain a monochromatic optical impression of theobject focused by the said objective lens upon the clear area of the second mentioned screen elements, means for imparting the same color to the second mentioned rays and dilfusing the same whereby to transmit diffused rays to areas of varying density of the second mentioned screen elements, and whereby through adjustment of the screen elements a matching of the shades thereof may be effected; and indicator means automatically positioned in the focal plane of the eye piece lens in the adjustment of the second mentioned transparent screen elements, when the shades are matched, for indicating the time period of exposure. I

3. In a photographic exposure meter, a lens system including objective and e e piece objective lens, a. colored light ray transmitting and diffusing medium between the objective lens and the said screen elements to render the optical impression monochromatic, the said ray transmitting and diffusing medium having a clear area and a ray diflusing area, a

closed light ray conducting conduit extending betweenjthe clear area of the light ray transmitting' and difl'using medium to the said screen elements, other transparent screen elements of the constant and varying densities selectively adjustable to position in the focal axis of the lens'system to receive direct and diffused, light rays passing 7 from the ray transmitting and diffusing areas of the said ray transmitting and diffusing medium, and

indicator means automatically positioned in the focal planeof the eye piecelens, in the adtransparent screen elements of varyin l focal axis of't e lens system to'control an'optical impression of the object focused by the objective lens, ascolored light raytransmit ting and difiusing medium between the obll jective lens and the" said screen elements to render the opticali-mpression monochromatic, the said ray transmittingand difi'usm me-,.

dium having a clear area and a ray difii sing area, means for conducting light rays passin through the clear area directly to t screen elements, other transparent screen elements of constant and varying densities selec- I 'tively adjustable to position in the focalaxis of the lens system to receive direct and diffused'light ra s pasing from the raytransand ifiusing areas ofthe said ray transmitting and difi'using medium, indicator means adjustable through adjustment of the I first mentioned transparent screen elementsto present, in the focal plane of the eye piece 1 ens, indicia defining the-class of sensitized medium to be exposed and the camera stopto be employed, and indicator means automatically positioned in the focal plane of the eye piece lens, inthe adjustment of the second mentioned transparent screen elements, for "indicating the time eriod ofexposure.

. 5. In a photograp ic exposure meter, a lens I system including objective and eye piece lenses, series of transparent screen elements i inde ndently adjustable to effect selective over apping of their elements, the elements of their overlav each series bein of varying density and, in

: impression of the object focused by the cha colored light ray transmitting and ,difius; mg medium in the 'athof light rays-pas'sin from the objective one to both saidseries 0 screen elements, and having-a clear area-1nd area, means for conducting thehght rays passin through the clear area 110' the clear areas of t eoverlapped screen "eleg' mentsof the second mentioned series to pro-;

jective lens, {,similar series of transparentscreen elementssimultafieou'sly independent 1y adjustableto .efiect selective overlapping)? t eir elements, the elements of each series ing of constant f and varying, densities and I v in their overlapped position, being *in the focal axisof the lens system, and in part {laterallydisplaced with relation to the over'- lapped elements of-the first-mentioned series,

111m having a clear area ortion and akray dififnsing area portion, t 0 clear area portion likewise,

vide for optical impression thereon of a mon-' ochromatic image of the object focused by e saidv 7 position, being in the focal raxis of the ens system to control an optical the objective lens, the said transmitting and diffusing medium having another area for diifusing the rays passing to the overlapping of theeye piece lens in the adjustment of the second mentioned series of transparent screen elements,for indicating the time period cf exposure. I

6. In a photographic exposure meter, a

lens system inclu ing objective and eye piece lenses, transparent screen elements of varying density selectively adjustable to position inthe focalaxis of the lens system to control an optical impression of the object focused by the objective lens, a colored light ray trans mitting and difi'using medium between, the objective lens and the said screen elements mat-ic, the said ray transmitting and diffusing medium having a clear area and a ray diffusing area, a closed light ray conducting conligh-t ray transmitting and dififusing medium to the said screen elements, other transparentscreen elements of constant and varyin densities selectively adjustable to position in the ray transmitting and diffusing medium, and. l

transmitting and di indicator means automatically-positioned in the focalplane of the eye piece lens, in the'advto render the optical impression monochro- 1 'duit extending between the clear area of the j ustment of the second mentioned transparent screen elements, for indicating the time -riod of exposure, said conduit having the 1nner surfaces of its walls of a substantially non-reflecting color and the exterior surfaces of -its walls coated to reflect light rays.

7. In a photo raphic exposure meter, a I v lens system inclu mg object ve and eye piece lenses, two series of transparent screen ele-' ments'independently adjustable to effect selective over appin of elements of each series in the focal axis 0 the lens system to control anopticalim ression of the object focused by the objective ens, the elements of-each series being of varying density, a colored light ray transmitting and difiusing medium between the ob'ec'tive lens and the said screen elements,

the said ray transmitting-and diffusing medi-' ition'ed to tint the rays passing throug )Ifusion of there a and render the optical im-.

the, said screen elements without difpreem'on monoc omatic, a pair of 'rotatably adjustable-discs between the said series of screen'elements and the eye .piece lens havingimutually OVOI'IIPPIDE so having the said portion of eac a, series of eripheral portions '1 1 apertures adapted to be brought selectively into registration in the relative adjustment "of the discs, means whereby the disc's may be in dependently adjusted, transparent screen ele-. ments of constant and varying densities arranged in the apertures in said discs and each respectively occupying substantially a half of the respective aperture, the said screen elements being so arranged as to provide for sclective overlapping thereofin the focal axis of the lens system in the rotative adjustment of the discs, whereby to receive both direct ,and difi'used light rays'by the said transmitting and difiusing medium and be tinted in accordance with the composition of their densities, one of said discs havinga series of transparencies corresponding in number to its series of apertures and radially opposite the same and bearing indicia indicating time ex-' posure periods,the other disc having transparencies similarly arranged with respect to the apertures therein and bearingindicia indicatin fractions of units of exposure periods, t e transparencies of the two discs, by reason of. their position with respect to the apertures of the discs, being adapted to bepositioned in the focal plane of theeye piece lens and illuminated and rendered visible b the light rays passing from the light ray di fusing medium and thus indicating auto- .matically the total time period of exposure,

and other discs automatically rotated through adjustment of companion ones of the 4 first mentioned discs and having transparencies arranged in annular series'and bearing indicia, the indicia of one series of transparencies indicatingjthe class of sensitized medium to be exposed in the camera and the indicia'of the other series of transparencies indicating the camera stop, the said transparencies of the last mentioned discs being likewise in the focal plane of the eye piece lens. l 8.- In a photographic exposure meter, a lens system I including" objective 'and eye piece lenses, two series of transparent screen elements independently adjustable to veflfect selective overlapping of elements of each in-the focal axis of the lens system to control an optical impression of the'object focused by the objective lens, the elements of -each seriesbeing'of varying density, a colored .light ray transmitting and diffusing medium I between the objective lens and the saidscreen 1 elements, the said my transmitting'anddif fusing medium having a clear area portion and a ray diffusing area portion, the clear 7 area. portion being positioned to tint the rays reaching the said screen elements without diffusion of the rays and render the optical impression monochromatic, a pair of rotatably adjustable discs between the said series of screen elements and the eye piece lens having mutual overlapping peripheral portions, the

said portion of each disc having a series of apertures adapted to be brought selectively difi'used light rays by the said transmittingand diffusing" medium and be tinted in accordance with the composition of their-densities, .one of said discs having a series of trans parencies corresponding in number to its" series of apertures and radially opposite the same and bearing indicia indicating time ex-- posure periods of increasing length throughv out the series in ratio to the successive increase in density of the screen elements, the other disc having transparencies similarly arranged with respect to the apertures therein means whereby the discs may beand bearingindicia indicating fractions of units of-exposure periods of increasing length throughout the series in ratio to the successive increase in density of the screen elements, the transparencies of the two discs, by reason of their position with respect to the apertures of the discs, being adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of the, eye piece lens and illuminated and rendered visible by the light rays passing from the light ray diffusing medium and thus indicating automatically the total time-period of exposure, and other discs automatically rotated. through adjustment of companion ones ofthe first mentioned discs and having transparencies arranged in-annul'ar series and bearing inmedium to be exposed in'the cameraand the indicia of'the other seriesof'transparencies indicating'the camera stop, the said trans-- .parencies of thelast mentioned discs beinglikewise in the focal plane ofthe eye piece GUY n. osnonun f 

